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EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (WRIC) — A North Carolina town is banning shark fishing and chumming after a spike in attacks this summer.

It’s the first of its kind in the area and lasts now until September 15. Emerald Isle officials say anyone who gets caught breaking the ban will be penalized.

Vacationers say they’re grateful for the town’s proactive approach, but they wonder how much it will actually help.

“The beaches here are so close together,” said vacationing father David Szuba. “You know just this town doing it, I don’t think will have a, a giant impact.”

“It’ll be interesting to see if that’s really what the cause is or if it’s really there’s less food or um, they’re just kind of looking for something different,” said Garrett Shephard, another vacationing dad.

Police will now be looking for evidence of chumming or shark fishing equipment.

First time offenders will get a warning followed by a citation for subsequent offenses.